I keep coming back to "A Scandal in Bohemia"

[Brontodon]

I have posted about a continuity error in the Granada TV series version of "A Scandal in Bohemia," and I have posted about the insertion into the episode of a Holmes monologue which originally appeared in the novel "The Sign of the Four."  Now I'm posting about a line that was added in to the TV show that I don't believe comes from the original Holmes canon.

Early in the episode, the King of Bohemia exits his interview with Holmes at Baker Street, having left a retainer of one thousand pounds for any expenses Holmes might incur in the investigation.  Watson is thrilled about the possibility of dining at a fancy restaurant, and points out that the investigation must be completed by Friday ("We only have three days," he reminds Holmes.)  Holmes responds, "Oh, it must be settled by Friday.  The composer Tchaikovsky is conducting his own works at the St. James's hall -- no, no, no, it must be settled by Friday."

Now, Tchaikovsky did conduct at St. James's in 1888, which dates this episode to that year -- but the original short story doesn't mention Tchaikovsky at all.  In fact, I don't remember seeing it in any of the Holmes canon.  I like that the producers of the TV show put this in -- it grounds Holmes in his time and place, and makes sense given his love of music -- but I don't think it's canonical.

Here's the scene, at 20:55:

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

4 hours ago, Brontodon said:

Watson is thrilled about the possibility of dining at a fancy restaurant, and points out that the investigation must be completed by Friday ("We only have three days," he reminds Holmes.)  Holmes responds, "Oh, it must be settled by Friday.  The composer Tchaikovsky is conducting his own works at the St. James's hall -- no, no, no, it must be settled by Friday."

You're quite right, that portion of the TV episode is NOT in ACD's story -- or at least not in that part of it.  It's inserted just before the end of the chapter.  I just searched the text of the entire story (here) for the name Tchaikovsky, and turned up nothing.

Of course, that passage may have been borrowed from some other Holmes story.  

 

 

[Brontodon]

>> Of course, that passage may have been borrowed from some other Holmes story.  <<

As far as I can tell, the name Tchaikovsky does not appear in any Holmes story by ACD.  But I thought it was a nice touch by Granada.  In fact, it shows a bit of arrogance on the part of Holmes -- he places the importance of the Tchaikovsky concert above that of his client's case, and he is certain that he can solve the case in the allotted time without yet having done a bit of investigation.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Well, of course!

I wonder whose idea it was to add that bit?